a literary playground

By: Vaani Sai

These raindrops are like a time machine,

each carrying a different memory of your life.

They splatter on my skin, hard and fast,

unforgiving and relentless.

A birthday,

an abandonment,

uncovering a family secret.

A shoulder,

a toast,

an adventure abruptly finished.

The memory of your death lands on my nose.

It smells like burning tires and flesh engulfed in flames.

The rain should stop now, and yet these drops launch downward,

each playing a different scene.

A shower of infinite separate moments, co-existing

unaffected by the unruliness of time,

unbothered that you’re no longer here.

Your story exists in these raindrops now.

It will continue to be sung by the skies

as long as there are raindrops to fall

and this nose to smell them.

Your story hasn’t ended because your story isn’t forgotten.

About the Artist:

Vaani Sai is a multi-passionate professional who works hard to give each of her interests the individual love and attention they deserve. She is the owner of dosas and diamonds, where she has been writing and editing professionally since 2021. She is a co-Editor-in-Chief of existé magazine.